Chapter 203: Extra Three – Little Fat Zhu and the Little Red Panda

In the past few years, several little cubs had been born in the Riverside Tribe. Ban Zhu and Bai Lu had grown into big cubs, while Jiang Xing and Hefeng had become teenagers and were no longer very interested in playing with the newly born cubs.

These older cubs preferred going on adventures with classmates who came to the tribe for lessons—hunting and gathering brought a sense of achievement far beyond just running around the tribe.

The newly born cubs included little foxes, little wolves, little cats, and little lions, all with very good temperaments.

Once they grew a little, they would start playing in the tribe, accompanied by Zhu Zhu. With so many little cubs in the tribe, each one was a playmate for Zhu Zhu.

From the time they were very young, Zhu Zhu had played with them; when they grew into teenagers, Zhu Zhu would carry them on his back for hunting and gathering.

Zhu Zhu was not only Jian Mo and Wu Jiong’s pet, but also an indispensable part of the tribe, the most familiar companion in every cub’s memory.

One day, Jian Mo and Wu Jiong had just returned from gathering when the cubs across the river spotted them and called out in their small, childish voices: “Jian Mo-gege! Chief! Guests are at your house—”

Jian Mo, riding on a giant wolf, asked, “Who’s there?”

The cubs shouted: “It’s Chief Zuo Zhi from Bai Zhi Tribe and Chief Qi Ming from Yu Qi Tribe with their cubs—plus Brother Ji Xun and Brother Mo A with their cubs—”

All old friends. Jian Mo smiled: “Where are they now? At our house?”

Before the cubs could answer, a voice came from afar: “We’re here.”

The two families were waiting on the open ground.

Zuo Zhi and Ji Xun’s cubs had been born and were now almost half a year old, ready to be brought out to play.

Zuo Zhi’s cub took after him in beast form—a small sub-beast humanoid, still unable to transform, so it was a little fat Zhu.

Ji Xun’s cub followed Mo A, a little red panda, also unable to transform yet.

At this moment, the two cubs were each lying in their father’s arms, staring curiously at Jian Mo with round eyes.

The little fat Zhu even put its tiny paws in its mouth, sucking on them as it looked at Jian Mo: “Jian Mo-gege?”

Jian Mo laughed: “Oh, so you can talk and recognize people now?”

Qi Ming gently held the little fat Zhu’s paw to stop it from sucking: “Of course! Our little Di Qiu is very smart.”

Ji Xun said, “Our little Ming Yin is smart too. Ming Yin, can you call out?”

The little red panda hid in its father’s arms and in a soft voice called: “Jian Mo-gege, Chief Wu Jiong.”

Jian Mo couldn’t resist and went over to pick up the little red panda, rubbing the chubby, soft little creature, smiling: “No need to call him Chief Wu Jiong, call him Brother Wu Jiong.”

Before the little red panda could speak again, the clever little fat Zhu shouted in a crisp voice: “Brother Wu Jiong!”

Wu Jiong, already back in human form, came over and opened his arms. Zuo Zhi placed the little fat Zhu in Wu Jiong’s arms.

Wu Jiong held the little fat Zhu’s bottom with one hand, lifting him upright, gently patting his back with practiced ease.

Jian Mo smiled at Wu Jiong—he had been holding a lot of Riverside Tribe cubs lately and had clearly gotten good at it.

Jian Mo led the guests into the house: “Has everything been going smoothly for you lately?”

Qi Ming replied: “Very smooth. The vegetables we planted have grown another batch, and we also managed to grow that thing you mentioned—the watermelon, though they’re small, only about fist-sized. The flesh is very sweet. I brought a few for you.”

Jian Mo’s eyes lit up: “Really? That’s wonderful!”

Watermelon was basically a summer essential. Since arriving in this world, Jian Mo had never eaten watermelon or anything similar.

He had mentioned it to Qi Ming in conversation, and Qi Ming had asked the merchants to keep an eye out. After several years, the merchants had brought back a fist-sized fruit from some unknown tribe—juicy, somewhat like a mix of cantaloupe and watermelon, and quite tasty.

Unfortunately, this fruit didn’t grow well in the Riverside Tribe’s climate. Jian Mo had tried planting a couple of crops, but they never thrived.

Back at home, Qi Ming and Mo A presented the gifts, and Jian Mo eagerly cut the fruit.

The melons grown by the Yu Qi Tribe were fragrant, sweet, and refreshingly cool—very satisfying to eat.

Jian Mo, eating the fruit, said: “It’s so good to have you all! It feels like life has been saved.”

Qi Ming laughed: “You’re exaggerating a bit.”

Jian Mo replied: “Really! I love all kinds of fruits. Unfortunately, we have so few here—only some berries.”

Qi Ming: “Once our second batch of melons grows this year, we’ll have Wan Zheng deliver some to you.”

Jian Mo smiled: “Let’s trade a little. We’ve made a lot of cheese recently—how about exchanging it for melons?”

Qi Ming: “Sounds good.”

Besides chatting with Jian Mo, the visitors also had him check the little fat Zhu and the little red panda.

Both cubs had been delivered by Jian Mo and were being raised well, though fathers naturally worried and wanted to pay extra attention.

While they chatted indoors, Zhu Zhu and Ying Ao soon returned.

Seeing Zhu Zhu outside, the little fat Zhu couldn’t help but shout: “Zhu Zhu—”

Zhu Zhu clearly remembered the little fat Zhu, poked its head out, and responded: “Chiu.”

The little fat Zhu turned its sparkling eyes to Jian Mo: “Jian Mo-gege, can we go play with Zhu Zhu?”

Jian Mo said: “Then I need to find a few playmates for you. Zhu Zhu, go call Ying Jian and the others, ask them to take Di Qiu and Ming Yin out to play.”

Zhu Zhu called twice outside to acknowledge, then flapped off to gather the cubs.

Ying Jian was a little lion, already acting as a leader among the cubs despite being young—calm and reliable.

Having Ying Jian lead the cubs gave Jian Mo peace of mind.

Zuo Zhi and Ji Xun were familiar with the Riverside Tribe and trusted Zhu Zhu. Moreover, the tribe always had patrolling beastmen. With patrollers watching, nothing would go wrong.

Seeing Zhu Zhu gather cubs to play with the little fat Zhu and little red panda, the four fathers agreed but reminded them not to be naughty or do anything dangerous.

The little fat Zhu sweetly said: “Dad, don’t worry, Zhu Zhu’s watching us.”

Zhu Zhu puffed up its chest: “Chiu!”

Little fat Zhu: “Then we’re going out to play!”

Stretching its wings and holding the little red panda’s paw, the two cubs bounced off to meet Ying Jian and the others.

Even as they ran far away, Jian Mo and the others could still hear them.

The little ones’ high-pitched laughter carried over a long distance, so they kept track from inside.

Ji Xun sighed: “We should have brought our cubs here to play with your tribe’s cubs more often. Ming Yin has become more lively.”

Jian Mo: “Now Ming Yin mostly plays with cubs from Lin Yan Tribe?”

Ji Xun: “Yes, but the Lin Yan cubs speak slowly, and Ming Yin isn’t very quick either. I worried he’d get slowed down, so he’s been interacting with them less recently.”

Mo A added: “Our cubs are like this. They’ll improve when they grow a little.”

Jian Mo agreed: “Every cub has its own personality; it’s not easy to change. You’ve already kept him away from the Lin Yan cubs, so don’t worry.”

Ji Xun sighed: “As fathers, it’s hard not to worry. We wanted Ming Yin to come learn at your tribe, but you said you don’t take such young cubs.”

Jian Mo smiled: “That really won’t work. Our lessons cover so much, plus reading and writing—Ming Yin couldn’t even hold a pen. Also, cubs love playing; forcing lessons on them would be cruel.”

Ji Xun rubbed his brow: “You’re right.”

Jian Mo: “If you worry, just bring him over to play with the cubs, join Ying Jian and friends. Playing longer will make him lively, maybe even mischievous enough to give you trouble.”

Qi Ming: “If you put it that way, we’d like to send Di Qiu over to play too.”

Jian Mo smiled: “Sure! Bring Di Qiu over a few times. Since your tribes trade often, you can bring him along when doing business. I think Di Qiu isn’t shy at all—he’s a bit of a leader among cubs.”

Zuo Zhi nodded: “Indeed, he’s a bit bossy, even flapping his wings when angry.”

Jian Mo imagined little fat Zhu flapping and laughed: “I like that personality. Being rebellious is better than not.”

While the adults chatted indoors over tea, the cubs played with Zhu Zhu on the open ground.

Zhu Zhu’s mind was like that of a six- or seven-year-old cub and had always stayed that way.

Unlike Ying Ao or other growing cubs, Zhu Zhu genuinely enjoyed playing with the cubs and always played wholeheartedly.

From Zhu Zhu’s perspective, it wasn’t Jian Mo sending it to play—it was Jian Mo gathering a bunch of cubs to play with it. When one batch grew up, Jian Mo and Wu Jiong would bring another batch.

Zhu Zhu couldn’t express complex thoughts, but it felt truly happy—playing with friends every day was enough.

When Zhu Zhu got distracted, Ying Jian shouted ahead in a small voice: “Zhu Zhu, focus! The sandbag’s coming for you!”

Zhu Zhu immediately perked its thick ears, eyes sharp: “Chiu!”

Ying Jian raised his paw again: “I’m throwing—watch out—”

The cubs all ran: “Aao—”

This sandbag game had also been taught by Jian Mo. On the ground, Zhu Zhu’s size was a slight disadvantage, but flying compensated.

Playing this game with the cubs, everyone was fairly evenly matched. As long as Zhu Zhu focused, it wasn’t easy to lose.

Zhu Zhu energized itself and ran, soon panting.

Little fat Zhu and the little red panda followed, also panting, tongues sticking out: “Huff huff—”

Just as they got tired, Jian Mo called out: “Zhu Zhu, are you done playing? Come back for the jelly!”

Hearing this, Zhu Zhu perked its ears and called out: “Chiu—”

Not only responding to Jian Mo, it also called the cubs to come back for sweet, cool jelly.

Zhu Zhu led the cubs home to enjoy the treat.

—Another perfect day, Zhu Zhu thought proudly, chest puffed out.